Dayton Dedicates April To Recognize Genocide

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Every April in Minnesota will now be known as Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month.

Gov. Mark Dayton on Monday signed legislation designating the month to recognize previous atrocities and promote teaching about and against genocide.

Several Jewish legislators spoke about their families’ history with the Holocaust on the House and Senate floor. The bill passed unanimously in the House last week, and was approved by the Senate 59-2.

State legislators in 2011 recognized April of that year as Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month, but that designation was for just one year.